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Kobo Libra Vs Pocketbook Era
Kobo is one of the leading players in the E Reader Market. With multiple devices for different user, Kobo has made a name for reliable and excellent E Readers. On the other hand pocketbook though a well renowned name has still not made a repute for itself even though they have one of the best E Readers.
In this comparison, we delve into the specifics of two renowned e-readers from Kobo and Pocketbook : the Kobo Libra 2 and the PocketBook Era.
Comparison Table Kobo Libra VS Pocketbook Era
| FEATURES | BOOX TAB ULTRA C | REMARKABLE 2 |
| In Depth Review | Review | Review |
| Year | 2023 | 2020 |
| Screen type | Kaleido 3/Carta 1200 | (CANVAS) Carta |
| Screen size | 10.3" | 10.3" |
| Screen resolution | 2480 x 1860 | 1404 x 1872 |
| Screen density | 300ppi/150ppi | 226ppi |
| Hardware | ||
| CPU | Octa-core | 1.2Ghz Dual-core |
| RAM | 4GB | 1GB |
| Storage | 128 GB | 8GB |
| Battery | 6,300mAh | 3000mAh |
| Thickness | 6.7 mm | 4.7mm |
| Weight | 480g | 405g |
| Software | ||
| OS | Android 11 | Linux-based |
| Handwriting recognition | ✓ | ✓ |
| Google Play Store | ✓ | ⨯ |
| Other Features | ||
| Backlit Screen | ✓ | ⨯ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ⨯ |
| Speakers | ✓ | ⨯ |
| Microphone | ✓ | ⨯ |
| Auto Rotate | ✓ | ⨯ |
| SD card slot | ✓ | ⨯ |
| Wacom compatible | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyboard folio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fingerprint scanner | ✓ | ⨯ |
| Kindle support | ✓ | ⨯ |
| Waterproof | ⨯ | ⨯ |
| File formats | PDF, EPUB, DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, TXT, HTML, RTF, FB2, CBZ, CBR, AZW3, MOBI, PRC, DJVU, CHM, ZIP | PDF, EPUB |
| Buy Now | ||
Aspect of Consideration
- Design
- Display
- Reading
- Note Taking
- Hardware & Software
- Pricing
- Pros & Cons
Design
Kobo Libra 2 embodies durability with its well-built, waterproof design. Despite slight changes from its predecessor, it weighs around 215g, slightly bulkier than its forerunner.
In contrast, the PocketBook Era boasts exceptional build quality with a premium feel primarily attributed to its plastic construction, weighing around 228g. The Era’s ergonomic design, featuring an angled grip for comfort, stands out, although it’s marginally heavier than the Libra 2.
While the PocketBook Era offers a premium feel with its build, the Kobo Libra 2’s waterproof design might cater better to users prioritizing durability.
Kobo Libra 2
- Well-built and waterproof design for durability.
- Slightly heavier and chunkier compared to its predecessor.
PocketBook Era
- Exceptional build quality with a premium feel.
- Ergonomic design with an angled grip for comfort but slightly heavier.
Display
Kobo Libra 2 sports a 7-inch HD E-Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen with 300 PPI, exhibiting enhanced contrast and sharpness, ideal for image-rich content. Its extensive front light settings ensure comfortable reading in various lighting conditions.
The PocketBook Era features similar display. However, it slightly lags behind competitors in black saturation but offers satisfactory readability overall.
Kobo Libra 2 excels in image display and versatile front light settings, while the PocketBook Era’s warm light display ensures comfortable reading.
Kobo Libra 2
- Enhanced image quality, versatile front lighting, ideal for image-rich content.
- Audiobook support via Bluetooth, suitable for varied lighting conditions.
PocketBook Era
- Crisp readability, warm light display for comfortable reading.
- Slightly behind competitors in black saturation but provides satisfactory readability.
Reading
Kobo Libra 2: Offers a responsive interface with options for both touch and buttons, providing smooth page-turning experiences. It provides an organized library, supporting various file formats like EPUB, PDF, MOBI, etc.
PocketBook Era: Its UI is customizable, allowing personalized touch gestures for navigation. While offering similar format support, its interface might feel slightly different initially but becomes user-friendly after adaptation.
For users focusing on image-rich content, Kobo Libra 2’s enhanced contrast makes it a better choice. However, for comfortable reading in various lighting conditions, PocketBook Era’s warm light display suits better.
Kobo Libra 2
- Smooth navigation with touch and button options.
- Limited PDF handling, lacks Micro SD slot for storage expansion.
PocketBook Era
- Customizable UI, personalized touch gestures for navigation.
- Initial Bluetooth setup glitches, slight screen black saturation issues.
Note-Taking
Kobo Libra 2: Allows for text highlighting, notations, and limited web searches. It supports basic note-taking features but lacks comprehensive export functions. Text-to-speech features are available for audiobooks.
PocketBook Era: Provides intuitive long-press options for notes and highlights. Its note-taking functionalities include handwriting and a Scribble app, suitable for basic note-taking. It offers text-to-speech features akin to a free audiobook.
Hardware & Software
Kobo Libra 2: Equipped with 32GB internal storage, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi support, and a commendable battery life lasting weeks on standby and around 50 to 100 hours of reading. Stands out with its waterproof design, audiobook support via Bluetooth, and an extensive front light range suitable for varied lighting conditions.
Runs on KoboOS with limited third-party app support but offers a stable and tailored e-reading experience.
PocketBook Era: Variants available with 16GB or 64GB storage, offering Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Battery life holds well for extended reading sessions. Features IPX8 water resistance, offering durability in water-prone environments. Its support for expandable memory and a wide range of additional apps enhances functionality.
Provides a polished UI, offering various additional apps like games, calculators, and music playback. Its open ecosystem allows seamless side-loading of content.
Kobo Libra 2
- Waterproof design, audiobook support, extensive front light.
- Lacks Dropbox support, slightly chunkier build compared to predecessor.
PocketBook Era
- Exceptional build quality, customizable UI, expandable memory.
- Initial Bluetooth setup glitches, speaker distortion at higher volumes.
Price
Kobo Libra 2: Positioned at a reasonable price considering its specifications and features, providing good value for its durability and enhanced display.
PocketBook Era: Offers competitive pricing for its features and build quality, providing versatility with expandable memory and various functionalities.
Pros & Cons
Kobo Libra 2 is recommended for readers who prioritize enhanced image quality, versatile lighting, and audiobook support, especially for image-rich content and varied lighting conditions.
Pros:
- Enhanced image quality for comics/images
- Versatile front light settings
- Audiobook support via Bluetooth
Cons:
- Limited PDF handling due to screen size
- Lack of Micro SD slot for storage expansion
- Chunkier build compared to its predecessor
- No Dropbox support
PocketBook Era suits users valuing exceptional build quality, customizable UI, and expandable memory, making it ideal for those seeking versatility and storage options.
Pros:
- Exceptional build quality with a premium feel
- Customizable UI and touch gestures
- 16GB/64GB variants with expandable memory
Cons:
- Slightly heavier compared to competitors
- Initial Bluetooth setup glitches
- Black saturation and lighting may lag behind
- Speaker distortion at higher volumes
Verdict
After a detailed comparison, Kobo Libra 2 impresses with its enhanced image display, versatile front lighting, and audiobook support. However, its limitations in handling extensive PDFs and absence of storage expandability might be a concern for some users.
On the other hand, PocketBook Era stands out with its exceptional build quality, customizable UI, and expandable memory options. Yet, initial setup issues and slight shortcomings in screen black saturation might affect user experience.
Choosing between Kobo Libra 2 and PocketBook Era depends on individual preferences. For those seeking a feature-rich experience with excellent image quality and audiobook support, the Kobo Libra 2 is an ideal choice. Alternatively, for users prioritizing build quality, customization, and expandable memory, the PocketBook Era is a strong contender.
